Page 86 of Hart of Redemption
“Three days,” she said. “I’m giving you a mild sedative. But if the pain gets worse, press this button.” She placed a remote device on my lap, then she typed on a computer. “The doctor should be in to see you later this afternoon.”
A cop poked his head in, and the heart monitor went crazy.
“That’s one of Ted’s guys,” Denim said as if he knew why my pulse was going haywire.
I didn’t see any cuffs on my wrists.
Ariel finished typing then left as though she was in a hurry.
“Why isn’t a Fed standing guard outside?” I asked.
“Ted is in control at the moment.” Denim sank into the chair beside the bed. “He’s gone to bat for you.”
I had made a deal with him that once Grace was rescued and safe, he could bring me in.
“He’s been arguing with the Feds,” Denim continued. “They’re pissed that Ted didn’t contact them.”
That was another stipulation I’d had in exchange for Ted’s help.
The pain began to dull even more. “Is Grace okay?”
“She is, thanks to Joy—or rather, Fallyn.”
The names were like acid on my brain as images bombarded me of her pointing a gun at me. I felt like she’d yanked my heart out of my chest. But I couldn’t process what had happened or who she truly was, and frankly, I didn’t want to. I’d been a fucking idiot.
“So she saved Grace?” I asked through clenched teeth.
“It was a team effort.” Denim crossed one leg over the other. “But yeah. Lou Romano was about to crush the car that Fallyn found Grace in. I had to fight him off that crane. Things got a little hairy. Thank fuck that Dillon was there to help. Because of the efforts of the three of us, Grace survived. On top of that, Lou fell to his death.”
My sigh could probably be heard throughout the hospital.
“Our sister is home resting. Also, Fallyn has been trying to see you,” he said. “We’re all shocked about her. Well, some more than others. Maggie had a feeling there was something off about her. Grace is hurt and angry.”
“Fallyn.” I liked the name better than Joy. “She was only doing her job.”
He harrumphed. “You don’t sound like you mean that. I can see the hurt on your face, bro. I know you love her. I knew that morning she came down to the bar. If I were in your shoes, I’m not sure how I would react. But at some point, you’ll have to deal with her.”
“No matter my feelings, she and I could never be. I’m pissed at myself.”
He leaned his elbows on his knees. “You’re usually spot-on in detecting frauds and bullshit. I would like to think I am as well. But I wasn’t around her long enough. But did you see any signs, hints?”
Daylight spilled through the slats in the blinds as I thought about his question.
“She was nervous around me at times. She was indecisive about her and me, but she had valid reasons, like the boss-and-employee relationship.” The incident with that bald guy who had roughed her up came to mind. Was that a show to get my attention? It had to be. I’d already determined that she hadn’t followed me to the cemetery since nobody had tailed me that morning. She had to have been there visiting her mom and brother. That was where they were buried. “Bottom line is her beauty, grit, and smarts blindsided me from the moment I met her.”
“You might want to add your dick to that list.” He chuckled.
Detective Ted Hughes’s throaty voice echoed in the hall as he said something to the cop outside my door, then he strutted in and up to the foot of my bed.
He smoothed two fingers over his thick mustache. “You’re one lucky bastard, Duke.”
“So Denim tells me,” I retorted.
“Have you told him yet?” Ted regarded Denim.
I couldn’t tell by his even tone if he had good news or bad, but he had agreed to go to bat for me if any charges were brought against me.
“Just that you’re in charge and not the Feds,” Denim answered.
